Parks Canada is celebrating the successful return of a threatened fish species to its original environment in Banff National Park. Following more than ten years of dedicated efforts, the federal agency announced that westslope cutthroat trout are now naturally spawning and repopulating Hidden Lake, near Lake Louise. Aquatics specialist Shelley Humphries from Parks Canada’s Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay field unit expressed satisfaction, noting that the fish population is now self-sustaining.
The initiative to reintroduce westslope cutthroat trout began in 2011 with attempts to remove brook trout naturally, which proved unsuccessful. Eventually, in 2018 and 2019, Parks Canada used rotenone, a natural fish poison, to eliminate brook trout. Subsequently, starting in 2021, they introduced trout eggs into Hidden Lake for four consecutive years, resulting in successful spawning and the emergence of fully grown fish this year.
Humphries emphasized ongoing monitoring efforts, with the aspiration of observing the fish utilizing streams and creeks beyond Hidden Lake. She highlighted the positive status of the fish population, expressing the desire to witness the trout spawning in streams, enhancing their habitat range.
Westslope cutthroat trout, once abundant from the northern to the southern regions of Banff National Park, faced habitat challenges due to recreational fishing and the introduction of non-native species like brook trout in the 1900s. This led to a significant decline, restricting the fish to only 10% of its traditional waterways.
Parks Canada’s commitment extends to other locations such as Helen Lake, Cascade Creek, Katherine Lake, and Corral Creek, with plans underway to protect threatened bull trout. Humphries underscored the ecological benefits of restoring the westslope cutthroat trout population, not only aiding the fish themselves but also supporting other wildlife species like birds of prey and bears, compared to the invasive brook trout.
The agency’s primary objective is to safeguard endangered species like the westslope cutthroat trout and prevent their extinction through proactive conservation efforts.